The truth about a complex built for veterans and the middle class and how it has evolved through the years to become one of the more interesting and controversial of New York stories.

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Monday, January 16, 2012

Stuy Town Placing #3 at Curbed

It's not an award one would really want, but it could have been worse. Apparently last year Stuyvesant Town held the unenviable number one position at Curbed's yearly "Sh#tshows of the Year." This time around the frisky real estate commentary site of NYC trounced Stuy Town for several reasons, but things should look up for next year, as the dog rules here have been relaxed so much (together with the bicycle riding rules) that there's no need for ticketing dog owners for any infractions.

I do have to agree with Curbed on its layering into the One Madison Park building--you know, the ugly block upon block spire that hovers over Madison Square Park and seems like it's going to topple over from a strong wind. A monument to Bloomberg's New York and why real estate developers and zoning regulators should be held in check.

http://tinyurl.com/7upb3auOutlines the rules regarding dogs/grassy areas. Dogs are permitted on some of the grassy areas, provided of course the owner cleans up after them. Dogs are not permitted on the Oval, according to the map found at this link:http://tinyurl.com/82wc2k8

The remaining (few) dog rules around here are regularly disregarded, and there's almost zero policing of these remaining rules. There's a security booth right in the Oval area, with many a dog being walked along the pathways there, if not sitting on one of the benches, and security does nothing. Whenever I walk through Stuy Town, I'm guaranteed to see dogs pissing or defecating in flower or plant beds. It's amazing that security never sees the same. Actually, they probably do see all this, but are following the unwritten rule of not bothering dog owners unless the violation is excessive.

As a dog owner who does follow the rules, they are as follows: the Oval grass remans off-limits, as are any areas with explicit "no dog" postings. The gravel track around the Oval, however, is fine as are all other paved pathways.

All playgrounds and ball fields, however, also remain off limits.

The only other "newly opened up" areas include any unmarked grass and soil areas, as long as NYC pooper scooper laws are followed. In short, except for the Oval, we're following similar rules as those enforced in NYC parks...if your dog does its business, including on the sidewalk, the grass, and the dirt, you pick it up.

As explained to me by a security guard, ST can't apply rules more onerous than NYC law for the simple reason that NYC-sanctioned fines and violations (Security officers are also NYC peace officers) would not then be legal to issue...or be enforceable in court when challenged.

I am the first to beat up Adam Rose and the security team about dogs being off leash or in areas they arent allowed. I literally called every day to stop the off leash/dog run the dog owners started in the back grass of playground 1 in ST. This area is still on the dog free list. Occassionally I will see dog owners with their dog in tow go on the grass and let the dog poop and then leave. There is nothing security can do about this except maybe to review the tapes find the perp and issue a fine or warning. Yet, I blame the dog owners for this not management or the security staff. That being said I find that security has done a wonderful job keeping this area relatively free of dogs, at least off leash. Recently one of the more notorious rule breakers started taking her dog off the leash and allowing it to run in this back grass again. You could see her trying to recruit other dog owners to join her, most refused one or two complied. I once again called security and the officer I spoke with was pleasant and professional and immediately investigated the situation. He knew who the tenant was (I suspect from what he said) and I havent seen her with the dog off the leash since. I cannot comment on the situation at the Oval but as far as playground 1 all I can say is Kudos to Adam Rose and the security staff on a job well done. P.S. I dont complement either Mr Rose or the security staff often so you know I'm sincere about this.

"I once again called security and the officer I spoke with was pleasant and professional and immediately investigated the situation."

I have to concur that security does have a good attitude these days, with an emphasis on being pleasant and professional when one addresses them with a concern or issue. Ditto maintenance when one calls them up.

I understand your point, but where would you prefer people's dogs pee? on the concrete or on grass/dirt?

January 17, 2012 3:20 PM"

I love dogs. Don't have one. But feel owners need to be responsible in their care.

I, for one, would rather have them do business in the grass than on the path I walk upon. I see people picking up after their dogs and I don't believe that dog pee is going to eradicate the lawns. That will happen from the football players, sun bathers and all of the other "lawn crossers."

I wish that STR, Rose, Security, et al would focus less on the dogs and their owners and more on the illegal hotel/brothel/flophouse/fratboys/sorority whores and other two-legged vermin who have turned Stuyvesant Town into the shithole that it has become. And if the TA/Brookfield and/or Guterman want to sell us this dump, they had better clean it up.

Agree with all the points brought up by anon 10:43, however, I would think that piss and crap would be the first issue to be addressed. As far as the prior question being raised: "where would you like dogs to piss and crap"? well, how about the street? Ever here the term "curb your dog"? For any residents hoping for a solution to all of this I'm afraid you're going to have to wait for the conversion. I think Brookfield is aware of what increases property values and what decreases them. I think we can probably expect fences put up around all the grassy areas and some beautiful plantings all around the property. Until then just resign yourselves to watching dog owners letting their dogs piss on whatever remaining live plantings we have here.

I have never understood the mentality that grass is something you just look at from a far and don't actually walk on. Most landscape design now contemplates people actually using the lawn. It's such an outdated and un-human/unsustainable use of green space--something out of Robert Moses/Le Corbusier era. (Not that I want dogs pooping on it, but people walking, sitting and playing, yes). That is definitely one of the positive changes here.

The problem with a dog run is that it is noisy. Even though we have a lot of grassy areas here, all of them are close to the buildings. That's a good thing—whichever building you live in, you can enjoy grass, plants, and flowers on your way home (or you did until parts were turned into dust bowls). There's a dog run in Tompkins Square Park and one in Madison Square Park. All over this city people have to go much farther to get to a dog run.

That kind of unintellectual response is going to get you nowhere. This is why you are losing. You have to be able to answer questions like "what's the matter with a dog run" with answers more thought out than "a bizarre question not even worthy of a response."

Really? Just asking about a dog run in our home property is "not worthy of a response?" Do you wonder why no one rallies around your positions?

I want to hear from Adam R. Rose what he's doing about the hotels. If he's not doing anything, which is what i suspect since Soraya and Vineet have been around for a while, I want him to say so and then explain why. He can find the rest of them by himself. I'm not here to help him.

This week's T&V actually has an article about the illegal hotels in Stuy Town. Quoting: "In response to the recent hotel activity, Adam Rose, co-president of Rose Associates, said management has been investigating--and litigating against those tenants--on an ongoing basis."

Hall of Shame Award to CWCapital from Stuy Town And Peter Cooper Village Tenants

Awarded for the Roberts Settlement Massacre, in which many tenants received mid-lease rent increases from hundreds to over a thousand dollars, compelling tenants to examine the need to move out with their families at short notice. Doubly awarded for the Oval Park Massacre, in which healthy trees were cut down and plantings viciously uprooted to make way for an institutionalized look of order.

Thinking of Renting in PCVST?

Read Yelp reviews to find out what it's like living here.

Banned Dog Breeds in Stuy Town

Cute rottweiler. But... looks like there is some difficulty in enforcing the ban on certain dog breeds allowed inside Stuy Town/Peter Cooper Village. Somehow pitbulls and pitbull mixes have been registered in STPCV and are allowed to be freely walked about the grounds! Another fail of enforcing the rules around here? You decide!

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Stuyvesant Town Newsreel

Read it and Weep

Current Value of ST/PCV

Was 5.4 Billion Dollars when Tishman Speyer bought the place.Became 1.7 Billion Dollars when Tishman Speyer left, with their tail between their legs.Current estimate? Over 2 Billion?

Ex-landlord

Rob Speyer

1947 Stuy Town Plaque Honoring Met Life Chairman F.H. Ecker (Removed in 2002 and never seen again)

"... who with the vision of experience and the energy of youth conceived and brought into being this project, and others like it, that families of moderate means might live in health, comfort and dignity in park-like communities and that a pattern might be set of private enterprise productively devoted to public service."

Co-op/Condo Conversions

Non-Eviction Conversion:
Requires commitment from purchasers for 15% of the apartments. Both rent regulated and market rate tenants are given the opportunity to purchase. Rent regulated tenants cannot be evicted because they choose not to buy. However, the owner is not required to offer a lease renewal to market-rate tenants.
Eviction Conversion:
Requires written commitment from 51% of the tenants in occupancy. All tenants are given the opportunity to purchase. Those who choose not to can be evicted. For rent stabilized tenants who choose not to purchase, they can be evicted within 3 years after the plan is declared effective. However, rent stabilized tenants who are disabled or senior citizens are exempt from eviction. Market rate tenants can be evicted at the end of their lease. Less likely conversion tactic. [The TA insists that any plan they support will be non-eviction.]

I am writing on behalf of everyone at Tishman Speyer to express how honored we are to become part of your outstanding community. We are a business with deep roots in New York, a true love of our city and a great respect for the neighborhoods that make it special. We are committed to maintaining the unique character and environment that have made Peter Cooper Village and Stuyvesant Town such a wonderful place to live for so long. We look forward to providing you an extraordinary level of service and attentiveness that will be the source of pride and satisfaction for the entire community.

Neighborhood Recommendations

New to Stuy Town/Peter Cooper Village? Here are some basic recommendations.

Best supermarket: Associated on 14th St. between 1st Ave. and Ave A. The cheapest prices, fantastic weekly sales, very affordable lunches; solid, responsive management. Some of the young female cashiers have attitude to spare, though. May be too far for Peter Cooper residents.

Best deli: A Stuy Town favorite is Lenz's on 20 St. between the 20 St. Loop. The way New York used to be. Be careful of unwanted "pepper" in your food, however. Lenz's has a B grade rating and was temporarily closed down due to an order from the Health Department. Bruno's on First Avenue is more upscale, with a greater selection of food items (higher-priced, too), but was closed down by the Health Department in June.

Best post office: Forget it! The post office on 14th St. is generally a nightmare, with long lines and, now, even shorter hours.

Disappointments:

The Stuy Town Starbucks on First Ave. is not very cozy, and the music in the morning is too loud and uptempo. Gently awaken the souls off to work....

More recommendations to come!

Macular Degeneration Support Group

If you are currently diagnosed with Macular Degeneration, the New York Eye & Ear Infirmary is offering a support group for you. Conveniently located next to the Peter Cooper Village Stuyvesant Town apartment complex, our group offers the opportunity to share stories with other members, listen to expert guest speakers, and learn coping strategies to reduce stress. Our group runs on the first Wednesday of every month and we would enjoy seeing you there.
Please contact Baptiste Nicolas, Social Work Assistant at 212-979-4105 for further information and to see if this group is right for you!